Only hours after the Israeli security cabinet approved a proposal to completely occupy the city, a large explosion exploded in an apartment building west of Gaza City’s al Shifa Medical Complex.
The Federal Government announced on Friday that the second tranche of the 35, 000 wage award arrears has been received.
The government had previously paid one month’s out of the initial five months’ outstanding arrears, according to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) in a statement released in Abuja.
READ ALSO: FG Demotes 59 Correctional Officers and Dismisses 15 of them.
The Director (Press and Public Relations), Bawa Mokwa, stated in a statement that three tranches must be paid off in order to settle the wage award arrears.
Scarlets have announced they have attracted significant new investment from a US-based company whose board members include former Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive David Moffett and ex-Wales fly-half Dan Biggar.
House of Luxury LLC (HOL) have agreed to eventually take a 55% stake in the organisation and will immediately acquire the current financial liabilities.
No figure has been provided about how much money has been invested but it is thought to be considerable.
HOL’s dedicated sports and entertainment investment division, led by Moffett, will assume non-rugby operational leadership straightaway in partnership with the current board.
The announcement comes as Wales’ four professional sides aim to survive the threat of cutting the number of teams to three or even two.
Ospreys have this week received planning permission from Swansea council to redevelop St Helen’s.
Cardiff are currently owned by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) after going into administration in April, while Dragons have been the least successful side since the inception of regional rugby in 2003.
Scarlets say they will continue to work constructively with the WRU on the structural review but are “driven by the ambition to grow the club and safeguard its future.”
“Scarlets is a rugby club that has been at the forefront of Welsh rugby and an integral part of the community of west Wales for more than 150 years,” said Scarlets chief executive Simon Muderack.
“We are fiercely proud of what this club stands for and will continue to protect that legacy.
“This partnership is the start of a new era for our club, strengthening our position with new investment, new ideas and a shared ambition to return the Scarlets to the top of European rugby.
“The new deal with HOL puts the Scarlets in control of its own future as we act boldly to move forward with a partner that will add significant resources and ambition.
“Crucially, it enables a future where Scarlets will continue to play in Llanelli, retain Scarlets’ strong identity and represent the whole of west Wales with pride.”
A WRU statement said: “We are pleased to welcome House of Luxury LLC into the Welsh rugby family after the positive news today they will be forming a new investment partnership with the Scarlets.
Moffett heads HOL’s sports and entertainment division, so the move will see his return to Welsh rugby.
The 78-year-old was the WRU chief executive when the initial five regions were launched in 2003.
HOL say they are an international luxury asset agency with a growing presence in global sport.
They bill themselves as a US global luxury asset agency behind landmark sales in ultra-prime real estate, sport, automotive and rare collectibles with a dedicated sports and entertainments division.
Scarlets and HOL say the new deal will bring:
“This is one of the most storied rugby clubs in the world and we believe it should be competing and winning at the highest level,” said Kirsti Jane, HOL chief executive.
Scarlets have announced they have attracted significant new investment from a US-based company whose board members include former Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chief executive David Moffett and ex-Wales fly-half Dan Biggar.
House of Luxury LLC (HOL) have agreed to eventually take a 55% stake in the organisation and will immediately acquire the current financial liabilities.
No figure has been provided about how much money has been invested but it is thought to be considerable.
HOL’s dedicated sports and entertainment investment division, led by Moffett, will assume non-rugby operational leadership straightaway in partnership with the current board.
The announcement comes as Wales’ four professional sides aim to survive the threat of cutting the number of teams to three or even two.
Ospreys have this week received planning permission from Swansea council to redevelop St Helen’s.
Cardiff are currently owned by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) after going into administration in April, while Dragons have been the least successful side since the inception of regional rugby in 2003.
Scarlets say they will continue to work constructively with the WRU on the structural review but are “driven by the ambition to grow the club and safeguard its future.”
“Scarlets is a rugby club that has been at the forefront of Welsh rugby and an integral part of the community of west Wales for more than 150 years,” said Scarlets chief executive Simon Muderack.
“We are fiercely proud of what this club stands for and will continue to protect that legacy.
“This partnership is the start of a new era for our club, strengthening our position with new investment, new ideas and a shared ambition to return the Scarlets to the top of European rugby.
“The new deal with HOL puts the Scarlets in control of its own future as we act boldly to move forward with a partner that will add significant resources and ambition.
“Crucially, it enables a future where Scarlets will continue to play in Llanelli, retain Scarlets’ strong identity and represent the whole of west Wales with pride.”
A WRU statement said: “We are pleased to welcome House of Luxury LLC into the Welsh rugby family after the positive news today they will be forming a new investment partnership with the Scarlets.
Moffett heads HOL’s sports and entertainment division, so the move will see his return to Welsh rugby.
The 78-year-old was the WRU chief executive when the initial five regions were launched in 2003.
HOL say they are an international luxury asset agency with a growing presence in global sport.
They bill themselves as a US global luxury asset agency behind landmark sales in ultra-prime real estate, sport, automotive and rare collectibles with a dedicated sports and entertainments division.
Scarlets and HOL say the new deal will bring:
“This is one of the most storied rugby clubs in the world and we believe it should be competing and winning at the highest level,” said Kirsti Jane, HOL chief executive.
The 10th edition of the Women’s Rugby World Cup takes place in England from 22 August to 27 September, with coverage of every match live on the BBC.
Host nation England are the favourites, but defending champions New Zealand, as well Canada, France and Australia, will all fancy their chances of lifting the trophy at Twickenham Stadium.
Scotland, Wales and Ireland will all seek to impress, while global superstar Ilona Maher of the United States will look to leave her mark on the tournament.
The competition has been expanded from the 12 teams that took part in 2022, with 16 sides participating, including debutants Brazil.
BBC Sport has coverage of the tournament on TV, iPlayer, digital platforms, radio and BBC Sounds.
Every match involving England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland will be shown live on either BBC One or BBC Two, while every game will be live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app.
Pool A: England, Australia, United States, Samoa
Pool B: Canada, Scotland, Wales, Fiji
Pool C: New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Spain
Pool D: France, Italy, South Africa, Brazil
The top two teams from each pool qualify for the knockout stage.
Going on seedings that would mean England (1), Canada (2), New Zealand (3), France (4), Australia (5), Ireland (6), Scotland (7) and Italy (8) would all advance to the last eight.
The quarter-finals are on 13 and 14 September
The semi-finals are on 19 and 20 September
Matches take place at eight venues:
There have been nine Women’s World Cups but only three nations have won it.
New Zealand have won the tournament a record six times and have beaten England in five of the past six finals.
England have lifted the trophy twice – in 1994 and most recently in 2014.
The United States won the inaugural tournament in Cardiff.
2021: New Zealand 34-31 England, Eden Park, Auckland*
*competition postponed to 2022 because of Covid pandemic
2017: New Zealand 41-23 England, Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast
2014: England 21-9 Canada, Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris
2010: New Zealand 13-10 England, Twickenham Stoop, London
2006: New Zealand 25-17 England, Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
2002: New Zealand 19-9 England, Olympic Stadium, Barcelona
1998: New Zealand 44-12 USA, National Rugby Centre Stadium, Amsterdam
1994: England 38-23 USA, Raeburn Place, Edinburgh
Friday 22 August
Pool A: England v USA (19: 30), Stadium of Light – BBC One from 18: 30
Saturday 23 August
Pool A: Australia v Samoa (12:00), Salford Community Stadium – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Pool B: Scotland v Wales (14:45), Salford Community Stadium – BBC One from 14:15
Pool B: Canada v Fiji (17:30), York Community Stadium – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Pool D: France v Italy (20: 15), Sandy Park – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Sunday 24 August
Pool C: Ireland v Japan (12: 00), Franklin’s Gardens – BBC Two and BBC Radio Ulster and Foyle from 11: 45
Pool D: South Africa v Brazil (14: 45), Franklin’s Gardens – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Pool C: New Zealand v Spain (17:30), York Community Stadium – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Saturday 30 August
Pool B: Canada v Wales (12:00), Salford Community Stadium – BBC Two from 11:45
Pool B: Scotland v Fiji (14:45), Salford Community Stadium – BBC Two from 14:15
Pool A: England v Samoa (17: 00), Franklin’s Gardens – BBC Two from 16: 30
Pool A: USA v Australia (19:30), York Community Stadium – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Sunday 31 August
Pool C: Ireland v Spain (12: 00), Franklin’s Gardens – BBC Two and BBC Radio Ulster and Foyle from 11: 45
Pool C: New Zealand v Japan (14: 00), Sandy Park – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Pool D: Italy v South Africa (15:30), York Community Stadium – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Saturday 6 September
Pool B: Canada v Scotland (12: 00), Sandy Park – BBC Two from 11: 45
Pool A: USA v Samoa (13:30), York Community Stadium – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Pool B: Wales v Fiji (14: 45), Sandy Park – BBC Two from 14: 15
Pool A: England v Australia (17: 00), Brighton &, Hove Albion Stadium – BBC Two from 16: 40
Sunday 7 September
Pool C: Japan v Spain (12:00), York Community Stadium – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Pool D: Italy v Brazil (14: 00), Franklin’s Gardens – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Pool C: New Zealand v Ireland (14: 45), Brighton &, Hove Albion Stadium – BBC Two from 14: 30 and and BBC Radio Ulster and Foyle from 14: 00,
Saturday 13 September
Quarter-final 1: Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D (13: 00), Sandy Park – BBC Two from 12: 30
Quarter-final 2: Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A (16: 00), Ashton Gate – BBC Two from 15: 30
Sunday 14 September
Quarter-final 3: Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C (13: 00), Sandy Park – BBC Two from 12: 30
Friday 19 September
Winner QF1 v Winner QF2 (19: 00), Ashton Gate – BBC Two from 18: 30
Saturday 20 September
Saturday 27 September
Third-place play-off final (12: 30), Twickenham – BBC Two from 11: 45
World Cup final (16: 00), Twickenham – BBC One from 15: 00
The 10th edition of the Women’s Rugby World Cup takes place in England from 22 August to 27 September, with coverage of every match live on the BBC.
Host nation England are the favourites, but defending champions New Zealand, as well Canada, France and Australia, will all fancy their chances of lifting the trophy at Twickenham Stadium.
Scotland, Wales and Ireland will all seek to impress, while global superstar Ilona Maher of the United States will look to leave her mark on the tournament.
The competition has been expanded from the 12 teams that took part in 2022, with 16 sides participating, including debutants Brazil.
BBC Sport has coverage of the tournament on TV, iPlayer, digital platforms, radio and BBC Sounds.
Every match involving England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland will be shown live on either BBC One or BBC Two, while every game will be live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app.
Pool A: England, Australia, United States, Samoa
Pool B: Canada, Scotland, Wales, Fiji
Pool C: New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, Spain
Pool D: France, Italy, South Africa, Brazil
The top two teams from each pool qualify for the knockout stage.
Going on seedings that would mean England (1), Canada (2), New Zealand (3), France (4), Australia (5), Ireland (6), Scotland (7) and Italy (8) would all advance to the last eight.
The quarter-finals are on 13 and 14 September
The semi-finals are on 19 and 20 September
Matches take place at eight venues:
There have been nine Women’s World Cups but only three nations have won it.
New Zealand have won the tournament a record six times and have beaten England in five of the past six finals.
England have lifted the trophy twice – in 1994 and most recently in 2014.
The United States won the inaugural tournament in Cardiff.
2021: New Zealand 34-31 England, Eden Park, Auckland*
*competition postponed to 2022 because of Covid pandemic
2017: New Zealand 41-23 England, Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast
2014: England 21-9 Canada, Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris
2010: New Zealand 13-10 England, Twickenham Stoop, London
2006: New Zealand 25-17 England, Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
2002: New Zealand 19-9 England, Olympic Stadium, Barcelona
1998: New Zealand 44-12 USA, National Rugby Centre Stadium, Amsterdam
1994: England 38-23 USA, Raeburn Place, Edinburgh
Friday 22 August
Pool A: England v USA (19:30), Stadium of Light – BBC One from 18:30
Saturday 23 August
Pool A: Australia v Samoa (12:00), Salford Community Stadium – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Pool B: Scotland v Wales (14:45), Salford Community Stadium – BBC One from 14:15
Pool B: Canada v Fiji (17:30), York Community Stadium – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Pool D: France v Italy (20:15), Sandy Park – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Sunday 24 August
Pool C: Ireland v Japan (12:00), Franklin’s Gardens – BBC Two and BBC Radio Ulster and Foyle from 11:45
Pool D: South Africa v Brazil (14:45), Franklin’s Gardens – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Pool C: New Zealand v Spain (17:30), York Community Stadium – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Saturday 30 August
Pool B: Canada v Wales (12:00), Salford Community Stadium – BBC Two from 11:45
Pool B: Scotland v Fiji (14:45), Salford Community Stadium – BBC Two from 14:15
Pool A: England v Samoa (17:00), Franklin’s Gardens – BBC Two from 16:30
Pool A: USA v Australia (19:30), York Community Stadium – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Sunday 31 August
Pool C: Ireland v Spain (12:00), Franklin’s Gardens – BBC Two and BBC Radio Ulster and Foyle from 11:45
Pool C: New Zealand v Japan (14:00), Sandy Park – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Pool D: Italy v South Africa (15:30), York Community Stadium – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Saturday 6 September
Pool B: Canada v Scotland (12:00), Sandy Park – BBC Two from 11:45
Pool A: USA v Samoa (13:30), York Community Stadium – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Pool B: Wales v Fiji (14:45), Sandy Park – BBC Two from 14:15
Pool A: England v Australia (17:00), Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium – BBC Two from 16:40
Sunday 7 September
Pool C: Japan v Spain (12:00), York Community Stadium – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Pool D: Italy v Brazil (14:00), Franklin’s Gardens – iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app
Pool C: New Zealand v Ireland (14:45), Brighton & Hove Albion Stadium – BBC Two from 14:30 and and BBC Radio Ulster and Foyle from 14:00,
Saturday 13 September
Quarter-final 1: Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D (13:00), Sandy Park – BBC Two from 12:30
Quarter-final 2: Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A (16:00), Ashton Gate – BBC Two from 15:30
Sunday 14 September
Quarter-final 3: Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C (13:00), Sandy Park – BBC Two from 12:30
Friday 19 September
Winner QF1 v Winner QF2 (19:00), Ashton Gate – BBC Two from 18:30
Saturday 20 September
Saturday 27 September
Third-place play-off final (12:30), Twickenham – BBC Two from 11:45
World Cup final (16:00), Twickenham – BBC One from 15:00